Small Group Ministries

Contact the Church Office for current Small Group schedules.

Study Groups

Various Bible studies are available throughout the week at different times led by the pastors and other members of the congregation. Other groups are welcomed and encouraged to form around any area of interest that relates the Bible and Christian life to matters of daily concern.

Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

Men’s breakfast offers another weekly Bible study and fellowship opportunity. The men gather for breakfast and scripture study every Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. The first Saturday of the month the group meets at the Beaver Dam Community Hospital cafeteria. The rest of the Saturdays, we meet at the church. The study is facilitated by one of the pastors or vicar and enriched through the sharing of faith stories and insights by participants.

Pastor’s Bible Study

Weekly Bible studyis offered through a couple of venues. The pastor’s text study meets every Monday morning at 9:00 to discuss the upcoming Sunday’s lectionary: Old Testament reading, Psalm, New Testament reading, and the Gospel text. The study is facilitated by one of the pastors or the vicar, but everyone’s insights and questions are needed, appreciated, and contribute richly to the conversation and learning.

Social Concerns Small Group

Our Social Concerns Small Group gathers to identify and coordinate ways that our parish can work to make a difference for those in our parish, community and world who are in need. This group meets monthly for devotions, sharing and planning for upcoming events that our parish can be involved in to make a difference for others.

aDULT fORUM

Adult Forum is an opportunity to participate in life-long learning in the church. The organizing committee plans meaningful presentations on a wide variety of topics in the areas of faith, health, community resources, and ministry at First, to name a few. Classes are held on Sunday mornings between services, open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required. The committee welcomes ideas for new topics!

Alzheimer’s Support Group

This group meets the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30pm, September – May. Those interested in help in dealing with loved ones who are experiencing loss of mental acuity (dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.) are welcome. Occasional speakers are featured. For more information, please contact Pastor Mark Jensen.

Grief Support Group

(Not meeting at this time.)

sHARON'S cIRCLE

Sharon’s Circle meets the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the Women of the ELCA Bible study found in Gather magazine. Everyone is welcome to join them for inquisitive conversation, sharing faith stories, as well as coffee and dessert!

DARTBALL

Dartball anyone? Mosey on over to Friendship Hall at the church every Monday evening at 7:00 during the fall, winter, and spring, for friendly competition, fellowship, and snacks. No previous experience necessary. Whatever your skill level, the company is always right on target!

Calico Cut-Ups

Are you crafty? The women of Calico Cutups gather the first Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m. for creating, visiting, and laughing. Whatever kind of craft you’re interested in—coloring with crayons or colored pencils, knitting a sweater, embroidery, and everything in between—bring your current project and join in the fun. The group usually goes out for lunch afterwards.

Quilting

Our quilters are hard at work every Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day sewing quilts to be distributed across the globe through Lutheran World Relief. It’s not all work and no play, however with this group. Conversation is shared, friendships and a feeling of community is nurtured. They have an open invitation to anyone who would like to join them—they’ll teach you what you need to know!

First Acts

Adults and teens participate in “skits” for our church services. Meetings and rehearsals are held throughout the year in preparation for upcoming dramas.

Fall and Spring Marriage Retreat

Pastor Mark and Karla Jensen lead a fall or spring marriage retreat at the Green Lake Conference Center. Six couples participate in the retreats. The goal of the weekend is to enrich relationships within the marriage and to become better acquainted with other couples within our parish. Couples continue to meet throughout the year after their respective retreat for fellowship, mutual support and continual growth in their relationship.

THE RETIREES

he Retirees are a lively and hospitable group that meets on the second Tuesday of every month, September through May. They begin with a short devotion, or Communion service in the chapel, then gather in Friendship Hall for conversation and a catered lunch. A short program with a speaker usually follows.

Confirmation program

The Confirmation program is part of an active and growing youth and family ministry at First. Typically for students in grades 6-8, this is a time for the youth to begin to make their faith their own as they take a more active role in learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Beyond classroom learning, some of the activities include participating in worship services, confirmation camp retreats, mission trips, and service projects.

THE LADIES AID SOCIETY

The Ladies Aid Society is in their 105 year! This steadfast group of women serves funeral lunches, and organizes the bake sale for the annual rummage sale and Christmas Bazaar. They use the money they raise to support various projects and missions of First Lutheran. Ladies Aid holds a monthly meeting the 4th Friday of the month, September through May, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Newcomers are welcome!

History Archives

Are you interested in history? The church archives contains photos and documents that date back to 1860, when First Lutheran was established. There are now only two members who faithfully meet every Wednesday afternoon to organize the history of the church in such a manner that the information is accessible and retrievable. Our history is an important reference of what has been to use as a tool for imagining and living out the present and future mission of the church. Come be part of the next generation of archivists!

Lutheran WORLD rELIEF (LWR)

Active in outreach, the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) group at First Lutheran collects items for school, health, and sewing kits, as well as bars of soap, to be sent to LWR. Quilts made by the quilting group are also shipped to LWR.

MANPOWER MINISTRY

This group meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:00pm. All men who wish to grow in their service to God are welcome. Various projects are undertaken…making Faith Chests for baptisms, repairs or lawn care at various shelters in the area, as well as here at First, and other helpful services are performed. For more information, contact Pastor Mark Jensen.

BEFRIENDERS MINISTRY

The Befrienders lay ministry program is a vital part of pastoral ministry at First Lutheran. Comprised of a large group of volunteers, both men and women, Befrienders offer a listening, compassionate presence, and the opportunity to offer Holy Communion to members who are homebound, in the hospital, or at one of the various care centers in the Beaver Dam area. Befrienders are trained, and typically have 1-3 people assigned to them to visit at least once a month.